Substituted Porphyrins

ABSTRACT

A series of ortho isomers of meso tetrakis N-alkylpyridylporphyrins (alkyl being methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, n-hexyl, and n-octyl) and their Mn(III) complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, uv/vis spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and electrochemistry. An increase in the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chains from 1 to 8 is accompanied by an increase in: (a) lipophilicity measured by the chromatographic retention factor, R f ; (b) metal-centered redox potential, E 1/2  from +220 to +367 mV vs NHE, and (c) proton dissociation constant, pK a2  from 10.9 to 13.2. A linear correlation was found between E 1/2  and R f  of the Mn(III) porphyrins and between the pK a2  and R f  of the metal-free compounds. As the porphyrins become increasingly more lipophilic, the decrease in hydration disfavors the separation of charges, while enhancing the electron-withdrawing effect of the positively charged pyridyl nitrogen atoms. Consequently, the E 1/2  increases linearly with the increase in pK a2 , a trend in porphyrin basicity opposite from the one we previously reported for other water-soluble Mn(III) porphyrins. All of these Mn(III) porphyrins are potent catalysts for superoxide dismutation (disproportionation). Despite the favorable increase of E 1/2  with the increase in chain length, the catalytic rate constant decreases from methyl (log k cat =7.79) to n-butyl, and then increases such that the n-octyl is as potent an SOD mimic as are the methyl and ethyl compounds. The observed behavior originates from an interplay of hydration and steric effects that modulate electronic effects.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of patent application Ser. No. 10/456,956, filed Jun. 9, 2003 which claims priority from Provisional Application No. 60/386,454, filed Jun. 7, 2002, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

INTRODUCTION

Low-molecular weight catalytic scavengers of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, aimed at treating oxidative stress injuries, have been actively sought. Three major groups of manganese complexes have been developed and tested in vitro and in vivo; Mn porphyrins,¹⁻⁹ Mn cyclic polyamines¹⁰ and Mn salen derivatives.¹¹ Based on a structure-activity relationships that we developed for water-soluble Mn(III) and Fe(III) porphyrins,²⁻⁴ Mn(III) meso tetrakis(N-methylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin (Mn^(III)TM-2-PyP⁵⁺, AEOL-10112) and meso tetrakis(N-ethylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrins (Mn^(III)TE-2-PyP⁵⁺, AEOL-11013) were proposed and then shown to be potent catalysts for superoxide dismutation.^(4,12) The alkyl substitutions at the ortho positions restrict the rotation of the pyridyl rings with respect to the porphyrin plane. Consequently both compounds exist as mixtures of four atropoisomers, all of which were shown to be equally potent catalysts for O₂ ^(•−) dismutation.¹³ These Mn porphyrins also allow SOD-deficient Escherichia coli to grow under aerobic conditions,^(4,12) and offer protection in rodent models of oxidative stress such as stroke,¹⁴ diabetes,¹⁵ sickle cell disease,¹⁶ and cancer/radiation.¹⁷ The high formal +5 charge of these metalloporphyrins could influence their tissue distribution, transport across biological membranes, and binding to other biomolecules and their low lipophilicities may restrict their protective effects. With the aim of modulating metalloporphyrin subcellular distribution, higher N-alkylpyridylporphyrin analogues (Scheme I) with increased lipophilicity were synthesized. We anticipate that their comparative kinetic and thermodynamic characterization will deepen our insight into the modes of action of porphyrin-based catalytic antioxidants and the mechanisms of oxidative stress injuries.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Structures of the most hydrophilic (Mn^(III)TM2-PyP⁵⁺) and the most lipophilic (Mn^(III)TnOct2-PyP⁵⁺) members of the series studied. The αβαβ atropoisomers are shown.

FIG. 2. The lipophilicity, R_(f) of H₂T(alkyl)-2-PyP⁴⁺ (A) and Mn^(III)T(alkyl)-2-PyP⁵⁺ compounds (B) vs the number of CH₂ groups.

FIG. 3. Proton dissociation constants pK_(a2) of the metal-free porphyrins, H₂T(alkyl)-2-PyP⁴⁺ (A), and the metal-centered redox potentials E_(1/2) for the Mn(III)/Mn(II) couple of Mn^(III)T(alkyl)-2-PyP⁵⁺ porphyrins (B) as a function of R_(f). Inserts: pK_(a2) (FIG. 3A) and E_(1/2) (FIG. 3B) vs the number of CH₂ groups.

FIG. 4. The reactivity of water-soluble Mn(III) porphyrins (A) (ref 4) and Mn^(III)T(alkyl)-2-PyP⁵⁺ porphyrins (B) as catalysts for O₂ ⁻ dismutation, expressed in terms of log k_(cat) vs E_(1/2).

FIG. 5. E_(1/2) for the Mn(III)/Mn(II) couple of Mn^(III)T(alkyl)-2-PyP⁵⁺ porphyrins vs pK_(a2) of the corresponding metal-free ligands. Insert: E_(1/2) of water-soluble Mn(III) porphyrins vs pK_(a3) (data from ref 4); Mn^(III)TE-2-PyP⁵⁺ (1), MnTM-2-PyP⁵⁺ (2), MnPTrM-2-PyP⁴⁺ (3), Mn^(III)TM-4-PyP⁵⁺ (4), Mn^(III)TM-3-PyP⁵⁺ (5), Mn^(III)T(2,6-Cl₂-3-SO₃—P)P⁻³ (6), Mn^(III)T(TFTMA)P⁵⁺ (7), Mn^(III)T(αααα-2-MINP)P⁵⁺ (8), Mn^(III)T(2,6-Cl₂-3-SO₃—P)P³⁻ (9), Mn^(III)T(2,4,6-Me₃-3,5-(SO₃)₂—P)P⁷⁻ (10), Mn^(III)(TMA)P⁵⁺ (11), MnTSPP³⁻ (12), MnTCPP³⁻ (13), Mn^(III)hematoP⁻ (14).

FIG. 6. Cyclic voltammetry of 0.5 mM Mn^(III)TE-2-PyP⁵⁺ and Mn^(III)TnHex-2-PyP⁵⁺ porphyrins in a 0.05 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.8, 0.1 M NaCl) at a scan rate of 0.1 V/s.

FIG. 7. Electrospray mass spectrometry of 0.5 mM solutions of H₂T(alkyl)-2-PyP⁴⁺ compounds in 1:1 water:acetonitrile at a cone voltage of 20 V.

FIG. 8. Electrospray mass spectrometry of 0.5 mM solutions of Mn^(III)T(alkyl)-2-PyP⁵⁺ compounds in 1:1 water:acetonitrile at a cone voltage of 20 V.

FIG. 9. As the alkyl chains of Mn(III) porphyrins lengthen, the favorable increase in E_(1/2) overcomes the unfavorable steri/electrostatic effects such that the n-octyl is as potent a catalyst of O₂— dismutation as are the methyl and ethyl compounds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a compound of formula

wherein

each R is, independently, an C1-C12 alkyl (preferably, a C8 to C12 alkyl),

each A is, independently, hydrogen or an electron withdrawing group,

M is a metal selected from the group consisting of manganese, iron, copper, cobalt, nickel and zinc, and

Z⁻ is a counterion. In one embodiment, at least one A is a halogen.

The invention further relates to a method of protecting cells (eg mammalian cells) from oxidant-induced toxicity comprising contacting the cells with a protective amount of a compound as described above. The invention further relates to a method of treating a pathological condition of a patient resulting from oxidant-induced toxicity comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of such a compound. The invention also relates to a method of treating a pathological condition of a patient resulting from degradation of NO^(•), comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a compound as described above. Additionally, the invention relates to a method of treating a patient for inflammatory lung disease comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a compound as described above. The inflammatory lung disease can be a hyper-reactive airway disease. The disease can be asthma.

The entire content of all documents cited herein are incorporated herein by reference. Also incorporated herein by reference is Batinic-Haberle et al, J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans. 2002, 2689-2696.

Also incorporated by reference is U.S. application Ser. No. 09/880,125, filed Jun. 14, 2001.

EXAMPLE Experimental Materials and Methods

General. MnCl₂×4H₂O, and Baker-flex silica gel IB TLC plates were purchased from J. T. Baker. N,N-dimethylformamide, ethyl p-toluenesulfonate, 2-propanol (99.5+%), NH₄ PF₆ (99.99%), NaCl, sodium L-ascorbate (99+%) and tetrabutylammonium chloride were from Aldrich, while xanthine, and ferricytochrome c were from Sigma. The n-propyl, n-butyl, n-hexyl and n-octyl esters of p-toluenesulfonic acid were from TCI America. Methanol (anhydrous, absolute), ethanol (absolute), acetone, ethyl ether (anhydrous), chloroform, EDTA and KNO₃ were from Mallinckrodt and acetonitrile was from Fisher Scientific. Xanthine oxidase was prepared by R. Wiley and was supplied by K. V. Rajagopalan.¹⁸ Catalase was from Boehringer, ultrapure argon from National Welders Supply Co., and tris buffer (ultrapure) was from ICN Biomedicals, Inc.

H₂T(alkyl)-2-PyP⁴⁺. Tetrakis(2-pyridyl)porphyrin, H₂T-2-PyP was purchased from Mid-Century Chemicals, Chicago, Ill. The increased lipophilicity of the n-propyl, n-butyl, n-hexyl, and n-octyl analogues required a slight modification of the synthetic approach used for methyl and ethyl compounds.^(4,12) Typically, 100 mg of H₂T-2-PyP was dissolved in 20 mL of DMF at 100° C., followed by the addition of 4 mL of the corresponding p-toluenesulfonate. The course of N-alkylation was followed by thin-layer chromatography on silica gel TLC plates using 1:1:8 KNO₃-saturated H₂O:H₂O:acetonitrile as a mobile phase. While complete N-alkylation is achieved within a few hours for the methyl analogue, the required time gradually increases and it took three and five days to prepare the n-hexyl and n-octyl compounds, respectively. Upon completion, for the methyl, ethyl and n-propyl compounds, the reaction mixture was poured into a separatory funnel containing 200 mL each of water and chloroform and shaken well. The chloroform layer was discarded and the extraction with CHCl₃ was repeated several times. The n-butyl, n-hexyl and n-octyl analogues are more lipophilic and tended to remain in the chloroform layer. Therefore, increasing amounts of methanol were added to the water/CHCl₃ mixture in order to force the porphyrin into the aqueous/methanol layer. This layer was filtered and the porphyrin was precipitated as the PF₆ ⁻ salt by the addition of a concentrated aqueous solution of NH₄ PF₆. The precipitate was thoroughly washed with 1:1 2-propanol:diethylether in the case of methyl and ethyl compounds and with pure diethylether for the others. The precipitate was then dissolved in acetone, filtered and precipitated as the chloride salt by the addition of tetrabutylammonium chloride dissolved in acetone. The precipitate was washed thoroughly with acetone, and dried in vacuo at room temperature. Elemental analysis: H₂TnPr-2-PyPCl₄×12.5H₂O (C₅₂H₇₁N₈O_(12.5)Cl₄). Found: C, 54.2; H, 6.42; N, 9.91; Cl, 12.04. Calculated: C, 54.20; H, 6.18; N, 9.68; Cl, 12.25. H₂TnBut-2-PyPCl₄×10.5 H₂O(C₅₆H₇₅N₈O_(10.5)Cl₄). Found: C, 57.16; H, 6.94; N, 9.513; Cl, 1.77. Calculated: C, 57.10; H, 6.41; N, 9.51; Cl, 12.03. H₂TnHex-2-PyPCl₄×11 H₂O (C₆₄H₁₀₀N₈O₁₁Cl₄). Found: C, 59.19; H, 7.31; N, 8.61; Cl, 11.09. Calculated: C, 59.16; H, 7.751; N, 8.60; Cl, 10.91. H₂TnOct-2-PyPCl₄×13.5H₂O (C₆₄H₁₂₁N₈O_(13.5)Cl₄). Found: C, 59.37; H, 7.41; N, 7.73. Calculated: C, 59.37; H, 8.37; N, 7.69.

Mn^(III)T(alkyl)-2-PyP⁵⁺. Metalation of the N-alkylated porphyrins was achieved as described previously for the methyl and ethyl compounds.^(4,12) Metal incorporation became slower as the alkyl chains lengthened. Under same conditions (20-fold excess metal, 25° C., pH 12.3) it occurs almost instantaneously for methyl and ethyl, within minutes for n-propyl, in ˜30 minutes for n-butyl, in ˜1 hour with the n-hexyl, and took several hours at 100° C. for the n-octyl porphyrin. The formation of the Mn(II) porphyrin and its oxidation to Mn(III) were clearly distinguishable steps when the n-hexyl and n-octyl analogues were metallated. As was the case with the metal-free ligands, the PF₆ ⁻ salts of Mn(III) n-propyl, n-butyl, n-hexyl and n-octyl compounds were washed only with diethylether. Elemental analysis: Mn^(III)TnPr-2-PyPCl₅×11.5 H₂O (MnC₅₂H₇₅N₈O_(11.5)Cl₅). Found: C, 50.90; H, 6.07; N, 9.27; Cl, 13.48. Calculated: C, 50.85; H, 6.16; N, 9.12; Cl, 14.43. Mn TnBut-2-PyPCl₅×12.5H₂O (MnC₅₆H₈₅N₈O_(12.5)Cl₅). Found: C, 51.58; H, 6.33; N, 9.55; Cl, 15.53. Calculated: C, 51.64; H, 6.58; N, 8.60; Cl, 13.61. Mn TnHex-2-PyPCl₅×10.5H₂O (MnC₆₄H₉₇N₈O_(12.5)Cl₅). Found: C, 55.64; H, 7.14; N, 8.23; Cl, 12.60. Calculated: C, 55.76; H, 7.09; N, 8.13; Cl, 12.86. Mn^(III)TnOct-2-PyPCl₅×10 H₂O×2.5 NH₄Cl (MnC₆₄H₁₂₂N_(10.5)O₁₀Cl_(7.5)). Found: C, 53.56; H, 7.13; N, 9.12; Cl, 16.84. Calculated: C, 53.53; H, 7.60; N, 9.10; Cl, 16.46.

Thin-layer chromatography. All ligands and their Mn(III) complexes were chromatographed on silica gel TLC plates using 1:1:8 KNO₃-saturated H₂O:H₂O:acetonitrile. The atropoisomers could not be separated for the methyl¹⁹ and ethyl analogues,²⁻⁴ they begin to separate for the n-propyl and n-butyl species and were clearly resolved with the n-hexyl and n-octyl compounds.

Uv/vis spectroscopy. The uv/vis spectra were taken on a Shimadzu UV-2501 PC spectrophotometer at 25° C. The proton dissociation constants (pK_(a2)), were determined spectrophotometrically at 25° C., at an ionic strength of 0.1 M (NaOH/NaNO₃), as previously described.⁴

Electrochemistry. Measurements were performed on a CH Instruments Model 600 Voltammetric Analyzer.^(3,4) A three-electrode system in a small volume cell (0.5 mL to 3 mL), with a 3 mm-diameter glassy carbon button working electrode (Bioanalytical Systems), plus the Ag/AgCl reference and Pt auxillary electrodes was used. Solutions contained 0.05 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.8, 0.1 M NaCl, and 0.5 mM metalloporphyrin. The scan rates were 0.01-0.5 V/s, typically 0.1 V/s. The potentials were standardized against the potassium ferrocyanide/ferricyanide²⁰ and/or against Mn^(III)TE-2-PyP⁵⁺. All voltammograms were reversible.

Electrospray mass spectrometry. ESMS measurements were performed on a Micromass Quattro LC triple quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with a pneumatically assisted electrostatic ion source operating at atmospheric pressure. Typically, the 0.5 mM 50% aqueous acetonitrile solutions of chloride salts of metal-free porphyrins or their Mn(III) complexes were introduced by loop injection into a stream of 50% aqueous acetonitrile flowing at 8 μL/min. Mass spectra were acquired in continuum mode, scanning from 100-500 m/z in 5 s, with cone voltages of 20 V and 24 V. The mass scale was calibrated using polyethylene glycol.

Catalysis of O₂ ^(•−) dismutation. We have previously shown that the O₂ ^(•−)/cytochrome c reduction assay gives the same catalytic rate constants as does pulse radiolysis for Mn^(III)TE-2-PyP⁵⁺, {Mn^(III)BVDME}₂, {Mn^(III)BV}₂ and MnCl₂.²¹ Therefore the convenient cytochrome c assay was used to characterize the series of Mn(III) N-alkylpyridylporphyrins. The xanthine/xanthine oxidase reaction was the source of O₂ ^(•−) and ferricytochrome c was used as the indicating scavenger for O₂ ^(•−22) The reduction of cytochrome c was followed at 550 nm. Assays were conducted at (25±1)° C., in 0.05 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.8, 0.1 mM EDTA, in the presence and absence of 15 μg/mL of catalase. Rate constants for the reaction of metalloporphyrins with O₂ ^(•−) were based upon competition with 10 μM cytochrome c, k_(cyt c)=2.6×10⁵ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ as described elsewhere.²¹ The O₂ ^(•−) was produced at the rate of 1.2 μM per minute. Any possible interference through inhibition of the xanthine/xanthine oxidase reaction by the test compounds was examined by following the rate of urate accumulation at 295 nm in the absence of cytochrome c. No reoxidation of cytochrome c by the metalloporphyrins was observed.

Results

Thin Layer Chromatography. The increase in the length of the alkyl chains is accompanied by an increase in the lipophilicity of the compounds as indicated by the increase in the retention factor R_(f) (porphyrin path/solvent path) (Table 1, FIG. 2). The apparent lag that was observed in the case of shorter chains with Mn(III) complexes (FIG. 2B), is presumably due to their higher overall formal charge (+5 for the Mn(III) complexes, +4 for the ligand). As the chains lengthen, their contribution to the overall lipophilicity increases, and eventually the n-octyl porphyrin and its Mn(III) complex are more alike in R_(f) than are methyl analogues.

Uv/vis spectroscopy. Molar Absorptivities. The porphyrins obeyed the Beer-Lambert law from 10⁻⁷ M to 10⁻⁵ M, and the uv/vis data are given in Table 2. As the length of alkyl chains increased from methyl to n-butyl a red shift of the Soret absorption maxima was generally observed, as well as an increase in the molar absorptivities, and these effects plateau beyond butyl compound. Such trends may be understood in terms of the interplay of porphyrin nucleus distortion (red shifts) and the electron-withdrawing (blue shifts) effect of the N-alkylpyridyls groups.^(12,23)

Metalation behavior and proton dissociation constants. The rates of Mn²⁺ incorporation at pH ˜12.3 decreased with an increase in chain length. The same was found for the kinetics of Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ insertion into these compounds below pH 7, where the kinetics were first order in metal and porphyrin concentration.²⁴ Since the free-base porphyrin H₂P⁴⁺ reactants were mixtures of the four atropoisomers, each isomer has a similar metalation rate constant. As noted before for both water soluble and insoluble porphyrins, compounds with substituents in the ortho positions tend to metalate more slowly than derivatives with the same groups in the meta or para positions.²⁵⁻³⁴

The proton dissociation constants, K_(a2) and K_(a3) are defined as follows:

The pK_(a2) values for the N-alkylpyridyl series are given in Table 1. As the alkyl chains lengthen the porphyrins become less hydrated and the separation of charges (eq [1]) becomes less favorable, i.e. pK_(a2) increases (FIG. 3, insert). FIG. 3A shows the linear relationship between pK_(a2) and R_(f).

Equilibrium constants pK_(a3) for reaction [2] are 1.8 for the meta H₂TM-3-PyP⁴⁺, 1.4 for the para H₂TM-4-PyP⁴⁺, and −0.9 for ortho H₂TM-2-PyP⁴⁺.^(4,25) While the meta and para N-methylpyridylporphyrins are mixtures of protonated H₃P⁵⁺ and H₄P⁶⁺ species in 1.0 M HCl, the ortho substituted H₂TM-2-PyP⁴⁺ to H₂TnOct-2-PyP⁴⁺ compounds remain as the unprotonated free base H₂P⁴⁺ in 1.0 M HCl and in 1.0 M HNO₃. With ortho, meta and para N-methylpyridylporphyrins the pK_(a2) increases as the pK_(a3) increases.

The half-lives for the acid and anion-catalyzed removal of zinc from Zn N-methylated derivatives³⁵ in 1.0 M HNO₃ were 89 s for the meta, 165 s for the para, and 19 hours for the ortho ZnTM-2-PyP⁴⁺. No indication of zinc loss was found within a week for the ZnTnHex-2-PyP⁴⁺ compound.³⁶ Similar behavior is found in 1.0 M HCl, with t_(1/2) ranging from 21 s for the meta methyl to 76 hours for ZnTnOct-2-PyP⁴⁺.²⁴ In accord are the observations that when solid MnTnHex-2-Pyp⁵⁺ was dissolved in 12 M HCl, the spectra did not change within 3 months, while over 50% of the Mn from Mn^(III)TM-2-PyP⁵⁺ species was lost within a month. In addition to porphyrin ring distortion,²⁹⁻³² the steric hindrance and solvation effects imposed by the progressively longer alkyl chains may also contribute to the differences in metalation/demetalation behavior.

Due to their high metal-centered redox potentials, the Mn(III) meso tetrakis ortho N-alkylpyridylporphyrins in vivo will be readily reduced with cell reductants such as ascorbic acid.^(2,3,12) The reduced Mn(II) porphyrins will also be transiently formed in the catalysis of O₂ ^(•−) dismutation. Therefore, we also examined the behavior of the reduced and more biologically relevant Mn^(III)T(alkyl)-2-PyP⁴⁺ compounds. We compared the methyl, n-hexyl and n-octyl derivatives (6 μM) aerobically and anaerobically in the presence of a 70-fold excess of ascorbic acid (pH 7.8, 0.1 M tris buffer) and in the presence and absence of a 150-fold excess of EDTA. Under anaerobic conditions both Mn(II) porphyrins were stable to Mn loss and porphyrin decomposition inside 24 hours. Aerobically, ˜40% of Mn methyl but none of the Mn n-hexyl and n-octyl compounds underwent degradation within 125 min. The absorption spectral changes indicate that the degradation occurred through the Mn porphyrin catalyzed reduction of oxygen by ascorbate resulting in the formation of H₂O₂. The peroxide in turn causes porphyrin destruction. These observations are consistent with previous results which indicate that a more electron rich compound (Mn^(II)TM-2-PyP⁴⁺) reduces O₂ faster than does a more electron deficient species (Mn^(II)TnOct-2-PyP⁴⁺).^(2,3) EDTA did not significantly influence porphyrin degradation or Mn loss.

Electrochemistry. Cyclic voltammetry of the Mn(III) porphyrins shows a reversible voltammogram that we ascribe to the Mn(III)/Mn(II) redox couple. The metal-centered redox potentials, E_(1/2) are in Table 1 and the representative voltammograms of the Mn^(III/II)TE-2-PyP^(5+/4+) and Mn^(III/II)TnHex-2-PyP^(5+/4+) compounds are shown in the Supporting Material, FIG. 6. Both lipophilicity (FIG. 2B) and E_(1/2) (FIG. 3B, insert) increase exponentially with the number of CH₂ groups in the alkyl chains. Consequently, the increase in E_(1/2) is a linear function of R_(f) (FIG. 3B).

Electrospray mass spectrometry. The ESMS proved to be a valuable tool for accessing the properties of the free base porphyrins and their Mn complexes whereby the impact of structure on solvation, ion-pairing, redox properties, protonation/deprotonation, dealkylation, and catalytic properties are clearly depicted.

H₂T(alkyl)-2-PyP⁴⁺. The ESMS of the metal-free porphyrins obtained at the low cone voltage of 20 V showed dominant molecular ions assigned to H₂P⁴⁺/4 and/or its mono-deprotonated analogue, H₂P⁴⁺−H⁺/3 (Table 3, FIG. 7). Negligible double deprotonation (H₂P⁴⁺−2H+/2) was noted. Only H₂TM-2-PyP⁴⁺ gave rise to a high-intensity H₂P⁴⁺+H⁺/5 peak.

The ESMS shows a pronounced decrease in solvation by acetonitrile as the alkyl chains lengthen. Compared to the base peak, the relative intensities of the mono-solvated molecular ions range from 40% for methyl, 15% for ethyl, and <10% for the higher analogues. Only with the n-hexyl and n-octyl porphyrins are small peaks (<5%) from ions associated with chloride found.

From methyl to n-butyl, the ratio of the molecular ion to mono-deprotonated ion peaks decreases, consistent with the trend in pK_(a2). Thus, the base peak for methyl is that of the molecular ion, while the base peak for the n-propyl and n-butyl porphyrins is the mono-deprotonated ion. This pK_(a2) trend is overcome by the higher lipophilicities of the n-hexyl and n-octyl compounds, where roughly equal-intensity molecular ion (100%) and mono-deprotonated ion (98%) peaks are observed. The loss of one alkyl group (H₂P⁴⁺−a⁺/3) was noted for all derivatives (except for the methyl), and either no or negligible loss of a second alkyl group (H₂P⁴⁺−2a⁺/2) was found.

Mn^(III)T(alkyl)-2-PyP⁵⁺. The ESMS of the Mn(III) complexes was done at a lower cone voltage (20 V) than in our previous study (30-58 V).³⁷ Therefore, less fragmentation occurs and more solvent-associated and ion-paired species could be observed (Table 4, FIG. 8). Solvation and ion pairing are more pronounced when compared with the metal-free ligands. The more lipophilic Mn(III) porphyrins are more easily desolvated in the electrospray ionization source. In accordance with our previous observations, the ESMS also clearly reflects the redox properties of these compounds.^(37,38) The higher the E_(1/2) the more reduced porphyrins are noted. Species solvated with acetonitrile or associated with chloride were observed with both Mn(III) and Mn(II) compounds. Two chlorides were associated only with Mn(III) porphyrins.

In the ESMS of the n-hexyl and n-octyl porphyrins we observed strong signals at m/z 337 and 375 that are assigned to compounds doubly reduced either at the metal (Mn^(I)P³⁺/3) or at both the metal and porphyrin ring (Mn^(II)P³⁺⁻/3). Such doubly reduced manganese porphyrins should have a higher tendency to lose the metal, and indeed peaks for the metal-free species were found for the n-hexyl and n-octyl derivatives, while only traces of doubly reduced and demetalated species were found for n-butyl.

The ESMS behavior of Mn porphyrins changes sharply once the alkyl chains lengthen beyond butyl, as observed with corresponding metal-free analogues. No loss of methyl groups was detected.³⁷ As the chains lengthen up to butyl the loss of an alkyl group from Mn(III) and Mn(II) porphyrins becomes more pronounced and then the tendency decreases with n-hexyl and n-octyl. The same trend, but of lower intensity was noted for the loss of two alkyl groups. The ratio of mono-chlorinated Mn(III) to mono-chlorinated Mn(II) species decreases from methyl to n-butyl and then increases up to n-octyl. Thus the base peak of the methyl and ethyl porphyrins relates to Mn^(III)P⁵⁺+Cl⁻/4, while for the n-propyl and n-butyl derivatives it relates to Mn^(III)P⁴⁺+Cl⁻/3. Yet, with the n-hexyl, the Mn^(III)P⁵⁺+Cl⁻/4 and Mn^(II)P⁴⁺+Cl⁻/3 peaks are both of 100% intensity, and the di-chlorinated species (Mn^(III)P⁵⁺+2Cl⁻/3) is of 86% intensity. With the n-octyl analogue, the mono- and di-chlorinated species give rise to 100% Mn^(III)P⁵⁺Cl⁻/4 and 89% Mn^(III)P⁵⁺+2Cl⁻/3peaks, and the third most intense (59%) signal relates to Mn^(II)P⁴⁺+Cl⁻/3. The lack of significant association of metal-free porphyrins with chloride observed here and elsewhere,³⁷ strongly supports the idea that chloride is bound to the metal. Furthermore, at the same cone voltage, the base peak of ortho MnTM-2-PyP⁵⁺ is the mono-chlorinated species, which was only 35% for para isomer. This suggests that the longer the chains, the more defined the cavity, which can hold up to two chloride ions, and the more stable is the Mn(III) state. While a species bearing two chlorides is hardly noted in Mn^(III)TM-2-PyP⁵⁺, it is the second major peak in the ESMS of Mn^(III)TnOct-2-PyP^(5+.)

Catalysis of O₂ ^(•−) dismutation. None of the parent metal-free porphyrins exhibit any O₂ ^(•−) dismuting activity. All of the manganese compounds are potent catalysts of O₂ ^(•−) dismutation with log k_(cat) between 7.79 and 7.25. As shown in Table 1, log k_(cat) decreases from methyl to n-butyl and then increases, making n-octyl and methyl of comparable antioxidant potency.

Discussion

When designing metalloporphyrin SOD mimics we are aiming at approximating the redox properties of the enzyme active site. Superoxide dismutases catalyse the dismutation (disproportionation) of O₂ ^(•−) to H₂O₂ and O₂ at ˜+300 V vs NHE (pH 7.0).^(39,40) This potential is roughly midway (+360 mV vs NHE) between the potential for the reduction (+890 V vs NHE)⁴¹ and the oxidation of O₂ ^(•−) (˜60 V vs NHE)⁴¹ thus providing an equal driving force for both half-reactions in the catalytic cycle. The O₂ ^(•−) dismutation by Cu,Zn-SOD occurs with catalytic rate constant, k_(cat)=k_(red)=k_(ox)≅2×10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (log k_(cat)≅9.3).⁴²⁻⁴⁴

We previously demonstrated a structure-activity relationship between log k_(cat) and the metal-centered E_(1/2) of the Mn(III)/Mn(II) couple for a variety of water-soluble meso substituted porphyrins (FIG. 4A).²⁻⁴ Electron-withdrawing substituents on the porphyrin ring shift E_(1/2) towards more positive values resulting in higher values for k_(cat). ²⁻⁴ Each 120 mV increase in E_(1/2) gave a 10-fold increase in k_(cat),⁴ consistent with the Marcus equation⁴⁵ for outer-sphere electron transfer reactions (FIG. 4A). The Marcus equation is valid as long as one of the two steps in the catalytic dismutation cycle is

rate-limiting.

On the basis of such structure-activity relationships, the ortho isomers of Mn(III) meso tetrakis N-methyl- and N-ethylpyridylporphyrins were tested and proved to be potent catalysts of O₂ ^(•−) dismutation. Their log k_(cat) values are 7.79 and 7.76 and they operate at potentials (+220 and +228 V) similar to the potential of the enzyme itself. These two metalloporphyrins also exhibit protection in in vivo models of oxidative stress injuries.¹⁴⁻¹⁷ We have now extended our work to a series of Mn^(III)T(alkyl)-2-PyP⁵⁺ compounds where alkyl is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, n-hexyl, and n-octyl (FIG. 1). The significant differences in lipophilicity along the series (FIG. 2A), with retention of catalytic potency (Table 1), might lead to favorably selective subcellular distributions of these new Mn^(III)T(alkyl)-2-PyP⁵⁺ compounds and hence broader their utility.

E_(1/2) vs pK_(a2). We did not expect a profound change in E_(1/2) along the series based on the fact that the increase in alkyl chain length from methyl to n-hexyl is without effect on the basicity of alkylamines.⁴⁶ However, we found that the metal-centered redox potentials varied from +220 mV for methyl to +367 mV (vs NHE) for the n-octyl compound. Such an increase in E_(1/2) may originate from progressively unshielded positive charges at pyridyl nitrogens which would then exert stronger electron-withdrawing effect on the coordinated Mn as the compounds increase in lipophilicity. This reasoning is supported by the ESMS data (Table 4, FIG. 8) which show that the susceptibility to desolvation is accompanied by a greater preponderance of reduced Mn(II) porphyrin ions as the alkyl chains of the Mn complexes lengthen. We have previously reported⁴ that mainly electronic effects determine the relation between the pK_(a) of the metal-free porphyrin and the E_(1/2) of the corresponding metal complex such that the decrease in pK_(a3) is accompanied by a linear increase in E_(1/2) (FIG. 5, insert). However as the compounds become increasingly more lipophilic, the lack of solvation disfavors separation of charges (higher pK_(a2) values), while the electron-withdrawing effects of the positively charged pyridyl nitrogen are enhanced. Thus the electronic pK_(a2) effects are overcome by solvation/steric effects resulting in an inverted trend, i.e. the E_(1/2) now increases in a linear fashion with an increase in pK_(a2) (FIG. 5).

Log k_(cat) vs E_(1/2). Based on a previously established structure-activity relationship for water-soluble Mn(III) porphyrins,⁴ we expected the 147 mV increase in E_(1/2) to be accompanied by a ˜12-fold increase in k_(cat) (FIG. 4A).⁴ We actually found that k_(cat) decreased from methyl to n-butyl, and then increased by the same factor of ˜3 to n-octyl (Table 1, FIG. 4B). One explanation is that the Mn porphyrins are solvated to different extents, as indicated by the ESMS data, and this in turn affects the magnitude of k_(cat). The trend in k_(cat) may also be influenced by the electrostatic/steric effects originating from the shielding of the single positive charge on the Mn(III) center. Thus the difference in the magnitude of lipophilicity between the metal-free ligands (formally +4) and the Mn(III) complexes (formally +5) becomes less noticeable as the alkyl chains get longer (Table 1). These H₂P⁴⁺ compounds of formal +4 charge behave in solution kinetically as +1.6 to +1.8 electrolytes.²⁴ From methyl to n-butyl, log k_(cat) decreases almost linearly (FIG. 4B, insert). Due to the exponential increase in E_(1/2) along the series of Mn porphyrins (FIG. 3B, insert), the unfavorable electrostatic/steric effects are in part opposed and finally overcome by the progressively more favorable redox potentials that originate from increased desolvation (lipophilicity). Consequently, the very lipophilic n-octyl compound is essentially as potent an SOD mimic as the less lipophilic methyl and ethyl derivatives.

Regan et al⁴⁷ were able to uncouple the steric and solvation effects in reactions of chloride ions with methyl- and tert-butyl-substituted chloroacetonitrile, and showed that both were of comparable magnitudes. Similarly, the reactivity of N-alkylpyridylporphyrins are the result of the interplay of electronic, steric and solvation effects, the latter dominating with the more lipophilic members of the series.

Recent findings indicate that biologically relevant reactions, other than O₂ ^(•−) dismutation, can occur at the metal center in Mn porphyrins.^(2,3,5,7,8,48-52) The same has been reported for the enzyme active site,^(20,53-57) thus raising the complexity of the free radical chemistry and biology of the enzymes and their mimics. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are involved in direct damage of key biological targets such as nucleic acids, proteins and fatty acids, and there is an increasing amount of evidence that such species are also involved in the modulation of signaling processes.^(14,58,59) Thus, it is important to understand the mechanisms of action of Mn porphyrins and related compounds. Based on the electrostatic, steric, solvation, and lipophilic effects observed in this study, we expect the members of N-alkylpyridyl series to differ one from another in in vivo models of oxidative stress injuries with respect to their specificity towards reactive oxygen and nitrogen species as well as with regard to their pharmacokinetics. Such work is in progress.

Abbreviations

SOD, superoxide dismutase; AN, acetonitrile; DMF, N,N-dimethylformamide; NHE, normal hydrogen electrode; TLC, thin-layer chromatography; H₂P⁴⁺, any meso tetrakis N-alkylpyridylporphyrin ligand; Mn^(III/II)P^(4+/5+), any Mn(III/II) meso tetrakis N-alkylpyridylporphyrin; meso refers to the substituents at the 5,10,15, and 20 (meso carbon) position of the porphyrin core. Mn^(III)T(alkyl)-2(3,4)-PyP⁵⁺, manganese(III) meso tetrakis(N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-n-propyl, N-n-butyl, N-n-hexyl, N-n-octyl)pyridinium-2(3,4)-yl)porphyrin; alkyl is M, methyl; E, ethyl; nPr, n-propyl; nBu, n-butyl; nHex, n-hexyl; nOct, n-octyl on the pyridyl ring; 2 is the ortho, 3, the meta and 4 the para isomer; Mn^(III)TM-2-PyP⁵⁺ is AEOL-10112, and Mn^(III)TE-2-PyP⁵⁺ is AEOL-10113; Mn^(III)PTr(M-2-PyP⁴⁺, manganese(III) 5-phenyl-10,15,20-tris (N-methylpyridinum-2-yl)porphyrin; Mn^(III)BM-2-PyP³⁺, manganese(III) meso bis(2-pyridyl)-bis(N-methylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin; Mn^(III)TrM-2-PyP⁴⁺, 5-(2-pyridyl)-10,15,20-tris(N-methylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin; Mn^(III)T(TMA)P⁵⁺, manganese(III) meso tetrakis(N,N, N-trimethylanilinium-4-yl)porphyrin; Mn^(III)T(TFTMA)P⁵⁺, manganese(III) meso tetrakis(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-N,N,N-trimethylanilinium-4-yl)poprhyrin; Mn^(III)TCPP³⁻, manganese meso tetrakis(4-carboxylatophenyl)porphyrin; MnTSPP³⁻, manganese(III) meso tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin; Mn^(III)T(2,6-Cl₂-3-SO₃—P)P³⁻, manganese(III) meso tetrakis(2-6-dichloro-3-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin; Mn^(III)T(2,6-F₂-3-SO₃—P)P³⁻, manganese(III) meso tetrakis(2,6-difluoro-3-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin; Mn^(III)T(2,4,6-Me₃-3,5-(SO₃)₂—P)P⁷⁻, manganese(III) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,4,6,-trimethyl-3,5-disulfonatophenyl)porphyrin; Mn^(III)hematoP⁻, manganese(III) hematoporphyrin IX.

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TABLE 1 Metal-Centered Redox Potentials E_(1/2), log k_(cat) for O₂ ^(.−) Dismutation, and Chromatographic R_(f) values. E_(1/2) ^(c) Porphyrin R_(f) ^(a) pK_(a2) ^(b) mV vs NHE log k_(cat) ^(d) Mn^(III)TM-2-PyP⁵⁺ 0.09 (0.13) 10.9 +220 7.79 Mn^(III)TE-2-PyP⁵⁺ 0.13 (0.21) 10.9 +228 7.76 Mn^(III)TnPr-2-PyP⁵⁺ 0.20 (0.31) 11.4 +238 7.38 Mn^(III)TnBut-2-PyP⁵⁺ 0.33 (0.46) 11.7 +254 7.25 Mn^(III)TnHex-2-PyP⁵⁺ 0.57 (0.63) 12.2 +314 7.48 Mn^(III)TnOct-2-PyP⁵⁺ 0.80 (0.86) 13.2 +367 7.71 ^(a)R_(f) (compound path/solvent path) on silica gel TLC plates in 1:1:8 KNO₃-saturated H₂O:H₂O:acetonitrile. R_(f) for the metal-free porphyrins are in parentheses. ^(b)pK_(a2) determined at 25° C. ionic strength 0.10 (NaNO₃/NaOH). ^(c)E_(1/2) determined in 0.05 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.8, 0.1 M NaCl). ^(d)k_(cat) determined using the cytochrome c assay, in 0.05 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.8, at (25 ± 1) ° C.

TABLE 2 Molar Absorptivities of Tetrads (N-alkylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin chlorides and their Mn(III) Complexes. Porphyrin λ_(nm) (log ε)^(a) H₂TM-2-PyP⁴⁺ 413.2(5.32); 510.4(4.13); 544.4(3.49); 581.4(3.72); 634.6(3.13) H₂TE-2-PyP⁴⁺ 414(5.33); 511(4.20); 545(3.58); 582(3.80); 635(3.38); H₂TnPr-2-PyP⁴⁺ 415(5.38); 511.5(4.24); 545(3.62); 583(3.84); 635(3.37) H₂TnBut-2-PyP⁴⁺ 415(5.37); 511(4.24); 544(3.60); 583(3.84); 636(3.39) H₂TnHex-2-PyP⁴⁺ 415.5(5.34); 510.5(4.24); 543(3.62); 584.5(3.84); 638(3.43) H₂TnOct-2-PyP⁴⁺ 416.5(5.31); 510(4.25); 542(3.59); 585(3.82); 639.5(3.43) Mn^(III)TM-2-PyP⁵⁺ 363.5(4.64); 411(4.27); 453.4(5.11); 499(3.66); 556(4.03); 782(3.15) Mn^(III)TE-2-PyP⁵⁺ 363.5(4.68); 409(4.32); 454(5.14); 499(3.75); 558(4.08); 782(3.26) Mn^(III)TnPr-2-Pyp⁵⁺ 363(4.70); 411(4.37); 454(5.21); 498(3.81); 559(4.12); 782(3.35) Mn^(III)TnBut-2-PyP⁵⁺ 364(4.70); 410(4.35); 454(5.23); 498(3.83); 559(4.14); 781(3.33) Mn^(III)TnHex-2-PyP⁵⁺ 364.5(4.70); 415(4.57); 454.5(5.21); 507(3.85); 560(4.12); 780(3.30) Mn^(III)TnOct-2-PyP⁵⁺ 364(4.72); 414(4.44); 454.5(5.24); 500.5(3.84); 559.5(4.14); 781(3.25) ^(a)The molar absorptivities were determined in water at room temperature.

TABLE 3 EIectrospray Mass Spectrometry Results for H₂T(alkyl)-2-PyP⁴⁺ Compounds.^(a) m/z Species^(b) M E nPr nBu nHex nOct H₂P⁴⁺/4 169 184 198 212 239 268 H₂P⁴⁺+AN/4 180 194 208 222 250 H₂P⁴⁺+2AN/4 190 H₂P⁴⁺−H⁺/3 226 245 263 282 319 357 H₂P⁴⁺−H⁺+AN/3 240 258 278 H₂P⁴⁺−H⁺+H₂O/3 288 H₂P⁴⁺−H⁺+Cl⁻/2 496 H₂P⁴⁺−a⁺/3 235 249 263 291 319 H₂P⁴⁺−a⁺−H⁺/2 352 374 394 436 H₂P⁴⁺−a⁺+H₂O/3 255 H₂P⁴⁺−2a⁺/2 352 366 H₂P⁴⁺+H⁺/5 136 H₂P⁴⁺+H⁺+AN/5 143 H₂P⁴⁺+H⁺+2AN/5 152 H₂P⁴⁺+H⁺+2Cl⁻/3 343 381 H₂P⁴⁺+2H⁺+2Cl⁻/4 286 H₂P⁴⁺−2H⁺/2 339 367 395 423 479 ^(a)~0.5 mM solutions of H₂P⁴⁺ in 1:1 acetonitrile:water, 20 V cone voltage. ^(b)AN denotes acetonitrile and a is an alkyl group.

TABLE 4 Electrospray Mass Spectrometry for Mn^(III)T(alkyl)-2-PyP⁵⁺ Porphyrins.^(a) m/z Species^(b) M E nPr nBu nHex nOct Mn^(III)P⁵⁺+5 146 157 Mn^(III)P⁵⁺+AN/4 155 166 177 188 Mn^(III)P⁵⁺+2AN/5 163 174 185 196 Mn^(III)P⁵⁺+3AN/5 171 182 193 205 Mn^(III)P⁵⁺+4AN/5 179 190 213 Mn^(III)P⁵⁺+5AN/5 187 198 Mn^(III)P⁵⁺+6AN/5 195 Mn^(III)P⁵⁺+H₂O/5 150 Mn^(III)P⁵⁺+Cl⁻/4 192 206 234 262 290 Mn^(III)P⁵⁺+2Cl⁻/3 267 286 305 323 361 398 Mn^(III)P⁵⁺+2Cl⁻+AN/4 202 216 230 244 272 Mn^(III)P⁵⁺−a/4 200 Mn^(III)P⁵⁺−a+AN/4 200 221 242 Mn^(III)P⁵⁺−a+2Cl⁻/3 264 279 293 321 349 Mn^(III)P⁵⁺−2a/3 243 252 262 299 Mn^(III)P⁵⁺−2a+AN/3 275 294 Mn^(II)P⁴⁺/4 183 197 211 281 Mn^(II)P⁴⁺+AN/4 193 207 221 235 263 Mn^(II)P⁴⁺+2AN/4 204 Mn^(II)P⁴⁺/Cl⁻/3 255 274 293 312 349 387 Mn^(II)P⁴⁺−a/3 253 266 281 309 337 Mn^(III)P⁵⁺−Mn³⁺+H⁺/3 281 319 357 Mn^(II)P⁻³⁺/3 or Mn^(I)P³⁺/3 294 337 375 ^(a)~0.5 mM solutions of Mn^(III)P⁵⁺ in 1:1 acetonitrile:water, 20 V cone voltage. ^(b)AN denotes acetonitrile and a is an alkyl group. 

1.-5. (canceled)
 6. A method of protecting cells from oxidant-induced toxicity comprising contacting said cells with a protective amount of a compound under conditions such that the protection is effected, said compound having the formula

wherein each R is, independently, an alkyl group of greater than 8 carbons, each A is, independently, hydrogen or a halogen, M is a metal selected from the group consisting of manganese, iron, copper, cobalt, nickel and zinc, and Z⁻ is a counterion.
 7. The method according to claim 6 wherein said cells are mammalian cells.
 8. A method of treating a pathological condition of a patient resulting from oxidant-induced toxicity comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of a compound under conditions such that the treatment is effected, said compound having the formula

wherein each R is, independently, an alkyl group of greater than 8 carbons, each A is, independently, hydrogen or a halogen, M is a metal selected from the group consisting of manganese, iron, copper, cobalt, nickel and zinc, and Z⁻ is a counterion.
 9. A method of treating a pathological condition of a patient resulting from degradation of NO^(•), comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of a compound under conditions such that the treatment is effected, said compound having the formula

wherein each R is, independently, an alkyl group of greater than 8 carbons, each A is, independently, hydrogen or a halogen, M is a metal selected from the group consisting of manganese, iron, copper, cobalt, nickel and zinc, and Z⁻ is a counterion.
 10. A method of treating a patient for inflammatory lung disease comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of a compound under conditions such that the treatment is effected, said compound having the formula

wherein each R is, independently, an alkyl group of greater than 8 carbons, each A is, independently, hydrogen or a halogen, M is a metal selected from the group consisting of manganese, iron, copper, cobalt, nickel and zinc, and Z⁻ is a counterion. 